Israel takes 3rd Congressional District

A Long Island-based representative has won both re-election and slices of Queens territory.

Democratic Congressmember Steve Israel claimed victory over his three challengers in the newly-redrawn 3rd Congressional District with 58 percent of the votes, according to unofficial results.

The 53-year-old from Dix Hills boasted 87,799 votes, while his main contender, Republican Stephen Labate raked in 62,305, early poll numbers showed, with more than half of precincts reporting. Libertarian Michael McDermott gathered 992 votes and the Constitution Party’s Anthony Tolda only a meager 224.

“I’m honored to have been elected in this new district,” Israel said. “It’s been a very tough week in our community, and I know the election was the last thing on most people’s minds. But I think it really shows [how] strong our community is. People didn’t have power, they didn’t know where to vote, they didn’t have gas to get to the polls, but they still got out and exercised their civic duty.”

The congressmember’s district was previously located entirely on Long Island in Suffolk County. But newly-redrawn lines mean portions of northeast Queens — Bay Terrace, Beechhurst, Whitestone, Douglaston and Little Neck -– are now in the 3rd District.

Israel has been representing the district since 2001 and ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. He was re-elected two years ago, beating Republican challenger John Gomez for the seat by 16,509 votes in Suffolk County.

“Now Democrats and Republicans must join together to rebuild our community, restore it[s] power lines and reignite the middle class,” Israel said.